Let There Be Light

Daylight influences every aspect of human physiology. A recent publication by The Daylight Academy looked at the effect that daylight has on our circadian cycles and biorhythms. With the impact of light ranging from ‘destructive to life-enhancing’, we should consider the optimal use of light for human health, wellbeing and interaction within the retail experience.

Circadian lighting is now successfully used in hotels such as The Beverly Hills Four Seasons, creating an inner feeling of ‘comfort’, with your body recognising the natural cycles of light being mimicked. Combined with aromatherapy, air purification and white noise machines, the hotel is capitalising on wellbeing and comfort.

Lys Technologies has created a clip on device that allows you to track the light around and offer insights into how to adopt a better ‘light diet’. Think of it like a light version of a fitbit, with users becoming aware of how light affects their everyday wellbeing and set achievable goals to a healthier light cycle.

Lighting innovations are literally out of this world with NASA replacing fluorescent lights aboard their space stations with LEDs that mimic the colour and intensity of sunlight, as well as The Chinese city of Chengdu is planning to launch an illumination satellite disguised as an artificial moon within the next two years, as a replacement for its street lights.

Lighting has become a vehicle for change over the last few years, with science, sustainability and art all melding into innovation. Brands like Tala produce visually stimulating lighting that is sustainable and encourages consumers to be aware of their environmental impact.

With people spending 90% of their time indoors, we should be considering how to help the new indoor generation to connect and sync with their natural body cycles. Lighting can be used to help improve health and wellbeing, create social change and positively affect the world we live in.

As well as offering interesting aesthetics, retailers should consider how light can benefit consumers and offer inner comfort and connection with brands.

Syncing light cycles will help to create natural rhythm in both staff service and consumer experience, encouraging relaxation and productivity within a store.

Create moments in stores that reflect the impact of light and how it affects our emotional response to a brand or experience.

It All Makes Sense